Audeze MM-500
Planar magnetic
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2022
Audeze MM-500 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Audeze MM-500 lands at 92 and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black at 91. That puts Audeze MM-500 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Audeze MM-500 if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Pick Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
TieTuning, detail, and staging
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Noise cancelling
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight BlackANC strength for commute and travel
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black leads on anc (89 vs 0).
Comfort
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight BlackLong-session wearability
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black leads on comfort (90 vs 88).
Value for money
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight BlackSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($699 vs $1,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Audeze MM-500 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Planar magnetic | Over-ear |
| Release year | — | 2022 |
Audeze MM-500
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
FAQ: Audeze MM-500 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black
Which is better, Audeze MM-500 or Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black? +
Audeze MM-500 scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Audeze MM-500 worth the price? +
At $1,699, Audeze MM-500 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.
Is Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black worth the price? +
At $699, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in sound.
Does Audeze MM-500 or Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Audeze MM-500 or Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black? +
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black — leads on anc (89 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.
Which is better for comfort, Audeze MM-500 or Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black? +
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black — leads on comfort (90 vs 88). Long-session wearability.